Means for treating air to provide comfort in hot and cold weather



MEANS FOR TREATING AIR TO PROVIDE COMFORT IN HOT AND-COLD WEATHER W. R.MOBLEY Jan. 3, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1956 INVENTORATTORNEY Jan. 3, 1961 w, MQBLEY 2,967,051

MEANS FOR TREATING AIR TO PROVIDE COMFORT IN HOT AND COLD WEATHER FiledAug. 2, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY- Jan. 1961 w. R., MOBLEY2,967,051

MEANS FOR TREATING AIR TO PROVIDE COMFORT IN HOT AND COLD WEATHER FiledAug. 2, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENT OR ATTORNEY ftlnited rates MEANSFOR TREATING AIR TO PROVIDE COM- FORT IN HOT AND COLD WEATHER William R.Mobley, P.O. Box 2311, Miami, Fla.

Filed Aug. 2, 1956, Ser. No. 601,765

2 Claims. (Cl. 261-142) The invention relates to a means forconditioning or treating air to create a localized comfort zone ofexpending air in a ventilated room or area, and has for its objects toprovide certain new and useful improvements in former procedure anddevices of this character.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a means whereby air maybe circulated in a ventilated room after treatment of the air, bydischarging the air under pressure into said room or area, therebycreating a zone of comfort for the benefit of the user of theimprovement.

A further object is to provide a centrlfugal suction fan, blower,impeller or pump which may be die pressed or cast in a single piece ofmetal, or which alternatively may be cast from plastic material as asingle unit, including the hub of the fan or rotor.

Another object of the invention is to provIde a blower and suction typefluid impeller which may be substituted for all conventional centrifugalor other types of impellers, and adapted to operate in conventionalhousing for subjecting fluids such as air to pressures above or belowatmospheric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more efficient means ofexhausting air from a home or buildmg.

Another object of the invention is to provide an impeller to operatewithin an air inlet opening substantially equal to the diameter of theimpe ler to perm't the air to flow freely and thereby eliminate airnoise otherwise caused by restricting the air inlet opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of treating air tocreate and maintain a zone of expanding air which will more readilyabsorb heat and moisture from the body of the individual and providecomfort in hot weather.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of treating air asby heating during cold weather to provide comfort in an enclosed room orbuilding.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means to contract airand to more efiiciently compress the contracted air and to utilize theexpansion of the discharged pressurized air to maintain a zone of air ina state of expansion to provide comfort in hot weather by directabsorption of the heat and moisture from the body of the individualusing the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described which is simple and economical of construction andcapable of being conveniently transported for use in any desiredenclosed locality, which is preferably under ventilation for readyadmission of air thereto.

These objects are accomplished by forming the rotor impeller blades orvanes in uniformly spaced relation around a circular disc which isdesigned to be axially revolved as by an enclosed electric motor. Theair propelling blades or vanes which may be integral with or constituteseparate elements attached to the flat rotor disc, are disposedlaterally of and at right angles to the Patented Jan. 3, 1951 disc so asto advance in a circular path of travel with the outer terminal edges ofthe blades disposed coextensive with and in laterally spaced offsetrelation to the periphery of the rotor disc portion. To this end eachblade or vane member comprises an axially extending air propellingflange spaced radially outwardly from the rotor axis, said flangeterminating in a right angularly and radially outwardly disposed flangefor desired cooperation with the air propelling flange of the blade.Said radially extending terminal blade flanges each includes at itsforward end a straight radial edge terminating at its outer end in anarcuate edge coextensive with and generated by the radius of the flatrotor disc body portion.

A rotatable fan or blower unit constructed in this manner and which mayalso be employed as a fluid pump, has been found to create desirablerelative low and high ice pressures on opposite sides of the rotor sothat the incoming low pressure air is entrained against the -'mpellerblades in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotor, and thereaftercentrifugally projected transversey of said axis for air treatngpurposes prior to the air being ejected at superatmospheric pressureinto the localized zone or area occupied by the person or persons usingthe device.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following desc iption, which t ken nconiunction with the drawings discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a view in rear elevation of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, looking toward the low pressure air inlet end thereof.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation, looking toward the high pressureoutet end of the device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe rotatable air exhaust and impelling memberof the unit, illustrated as die cut for example from a flat sheet ofmaterial such as metal or plastic, all parts of the rotor as illustratedbeing of uniform thickness.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view in perspective of the component parts of theapparatus or device for carrying out the present invention, as viewedfrom the rear or low pressure side thereof.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing a slightly modified formof the rotatabe fan or blower unit.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the fan blades or vanes, aplurality of which are illustrated in Fig. 7 as aflixed to the rotatableair propulsion or exhaust fan unit.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4, of a slightly modifiedembodiment of the device wherein a pair of air outlet openings arepresent in the cabinet.

Fig. 9a is an elevational View of a Calrod heating element which is usedto advantage in carrying out the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram.

Fig. 11 is a view of a further modified form of the invention whereinthe air is exhausted from the interior of the substantially closedcabinet structure.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the motor and impeiler assemblyillustrated in Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, the air conditioning device or unit isillustrated as comprising a rectangular substantially closed cabinet 1t)having an integral or separate front wall 11, rear wall 12, bottom wall13 and top wall 14, said cabinet being formed of any appropriatematerial such as metal or plastic, and having the described wallsthereof assembled in substantial integral or fluid tight relation. Inthe illustrated embodiment the rear wall 10 includes an inwardly offsetperipheral flange l defining a circular opening 16 in said wall (Fig.2). An annular housing 17 surrounds the aperture 16 on the outer side ofthe cabinet and a bracket member 18 (see also Fig. 6) bridges saidaperture within the cabinet on the inner side of the aperture. A gasket19, having a central aperture 19a, is interposed between a laterallyprojecting peripheral flange 17a of the housing 17 and the diametricallyopposed radial flanges 18a of the bracket member 18, said housing andbracket members being secured together and to the rear wall 12 of thecabinet in fluid tight relation by means of bolts or screws 20 or otherappropriate fastening devices. Said bracket flanges 18a are seatedwithin diametrically opposed non-circular recess portions 16a (Fig. 6)communicating with the aforesaid aperture to in the rear cabinet wall12. This serves to anchor the bracket 18 against rotation relative tothe enclosing cabinet 19.

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the outer or air inlet end of the housing17 is provided with an annular flange 21 to provide a seat for a dsc-like air filter eement 22 formed for example or" fibre glass, and thefilter element is removably clamped to seat 21 of housing 17 by means ofa removable clamping and enclosing member 23 having a central airentrance opening 24 therein.

The bracket member 13 further includes a diametrically extending web 18b(Fig. 6) having a central aperture 25 therein for rotatably receivingtherethrough the armature shaft 26 of an electric motor 27. A pair ofspaced apertures 28 in the bracket web 1812 respectively receivediametrically spaced bosses 29 on the end of the motor housing forrigidly mounting the motor on the bracket member 18 as by screws orclamping bolts (not shown) engaging the motor bosses and the bracketmember web 18b.

A rotor impeller or exhaust fan blower is indicated generally at 30 andmay be integrally constructed as illustrated, of metal such as steel oraluminum or of plastic if desired, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Saidrotor is provided at one side thereof with a hub 31 secured thereto saidhub being centrally apertured at 32 for the reception of the outer endof the motor armature shaft 26. A set screw indicated at 33 is P ovidedfor securing the rotor hub 31 to the motor shaft 26 for rotation of thehub and fan rotor element with the shaft. Obviously the rotor hub 31 maybe keyed to the motor shaft or otherwise secured thereto for unitaryrotation therewith.

The rotatable exhaust and propulsion fan element 30 includes a series ofcircumferentially and uniformly spaced impeller blade or vane members 34preferably formed integrally with the disc-like body portion 35 of therotor. Each impeller blade includes an axially extending flange portion36 and an integral right angularly extending radial flange 37 of arcuateconfiguration. Said blades are formed from the rotor disc by bending therotor material along spaced parallel fold lines 38, 39 (Fig. 5). As thusformed the axially extending flange 36 of each rotor blade or vane 34 isflat and of rectangular configuration, while the integral angularlyextending radial flange 37 thereof is also flat, but is of arcuate orcurved configuration at its outer periphery. Air inlet and dischargepockets are thus formed in each rotor blade or vane, and the leadingradially extending edge 37a of each blade is disposed in the directionof forward rotation of the rotor unit. Also the arcuate flanges 37 ofthe impeller blades are radially coextensive with the periphery of thedisc shaped body portion 35 of the rotor to permit the latter to besnugly and rotatively nested between the axially extending flanges 180of the bracket member with only slight peripheral clearancetherebetween.

The forward end 11 of the cabinet is provided with a single central airoutlet opening or aperture 38. Additional air filter means similar tofilter member 22 may be provided if desired to cover the said air exitopening 38 in the front wall 11 of the cabinet 10.

An imperforate horizontal baffle plate is indicated at 40 and ispreferably disposed in closely spaced relation to the upper surface ofthe motor 27. Said baffie plate is substantially coextensive with thewidth of the cabinet 10 and is rigidly secured to the interior surfaceof the front wall 11 thereof by bolt or screw means 41, and to the upperwall 14 of the cabinet by bolt or screw means 42, said screwsrespectively engaging apertures in integral flange portions 43 and 44 ofthe baflie member 40. The inner end of the baffle 40 includes anintegral medial upstanding flange 45 of less Width than the baffle 40 soas to provide a pair of spaced substantially rectangular air exitopenings 46 respectively in horizontal registry with and spacedhorizontally inwardly of the cabinet from the air outlet opening 38 inthe cabinet front wall. The upper end of the upstanding medial flange 45of the baffle plate terminates in the aforesaid angular horizontalflange 44 by means of which the baffle plate is rigidly secured to thetop wall 14 of the cabinet 10.

The baffle 40 is not necessary where two air exit openings are used, asshown at 38a in the sightly modified form illustrated in Fig. 9. This isbecause the pressurized air inherently collects in the interior cornersof the cabinet and thereafter is discharged readily by the rotorimpeller. However Where the one opening 38 is used at the center of thefront wall (Fig. 4). the baffle 40 materially aids in passing the aircollected at the cabinet corners to such center opening Where it isdischarged under pressure by the rotor.

The imperforate fluid tight interior of the cabinet 10 is designed tocontain a body of water 47 which may be admitted through thesubstantially central inlet aperture 48 in the from W?" of the cabinet.A cover plate 49 is preferably removably secured to the opening 48 bymeans of a threaded screw bolt 50 having a wing nut 51 thereon, a curvedclamping plate 52 being interposed between the inner bolt head and theportion of the cabinet front Wall surrounding and defining the opening48.

In the mod'fication illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 the fan or blower rotorunit 39!! is of composite construction, for example when utilized in anexhaust fan or air impelling device of greater size. The disc like bodyportion 350 of the rotor 30a is die cut from metal or plastic alongangular intersecting shear lines 53 and 54 to provide a series of spacednotches of angular configuration in the periphery of the disc.Alternatively the rotor 30a may comprise a circular disc when the bladesare riveted thereto as shown in Fig. 7. Each impeller blade or vane 34is of separate angular construction so as to include a central axiallyextending rectangular air propelling wall or flange 36a terminating inan angular radially extending wall 37a. An inner angularly extendingterminal flange 55 of each impeller blade 36:: is apertured at 56 forthe reception therethrough of rivet elements 57 for securing each bladeunit to a flat disc-like body portion 35:: of the fan rotor element.

In use the cabinet 10 is transported as by the carrying handle H (Fig.l) to any interior location where it is desired to create a comfort zonefor example in a ventilated room or bedroom. The motor 27 of the unit isconnected by means of the usual flexible cord (not shown) to a source ofelectrical current, and a switch (not shown) may be closed to energizethe motor 27 to rotate the fan blower unit 30. Unconditioned oruntreated air is thus drawn into the cabinet through the filter screen22 and housing 17 to impinge against the flat disc-like body portion 35of the rotor. This entrained air on the inlet or low pressure side ofthe fan is forcibly directed centrifugally outwardly therefrom by theaxially extending flange walls 36 of the impeller blades 34, as theblower is rotated by the motor in a clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 6. incoming air striking the radially extending blade portions orflanges 37 is arrested thereby so as to be forcibly propelled by theblade portions 36 into the lower interior of the cabinet 10. Since thefan and motor unit are mountcd in the upper portion of the cabinet, thecentrifugally propelled air under pressure will be forcibly directedlaterally and downwardly along the cabinet Walls and against the surfaceof the body of water 47, preferably with sufiicient force to break thesurface tension of and agitate the liquid. This tends to induceevaporation with attendant slight cooling of the water. The filtered andcentrifugally propelled air under relatively high blower pressure fromthe discharge side of the rotor 30 contacts and is repeatedly sweptacross the surface of the Water so as to be slightly humidified andcooled thereby prior to being conducted upwardly through the cabinet forforcible exit from the discharge aperture 38 or apertures It Will thusbe seen that a localized comfort zone permeated by slightly humidifiedand cooled air under pressure from the cabinet openings 47 is created inthe vicinity of the user of the device. This is of obvious advantage toa person occupying such zone, regardless of whether it is for recreationor for sleeping purposes. Also it is pointed out that the instantinvention, particularly the improved rotor 30 or 30a, may be utilizedfor the purpose of pumping fluids such as Water or air in conjunctionwith cooperating conduit means.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate the use of the device as an exhaust fan orimpeller, under conditions wherein it is desirable to remove the airfrom a room or enclosed area. In such instance the rotor 30 is mountedfor example on the cabinet in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 2,but on the exterior of the cabinet rear wall. When the rotor impeller 30is driven as by the motor 27, the air on the interior of the cabinetwill be drawn outwardly through the aperture 16 in the rear cabinet wall12, and expelled by the rotor impeller blades laterally andcentrifugally, as indicated by the arrows A. The side wall apertures10:: in the cabinet show the means of entraining the air therewithinprior to exhausting the same by the rotor 30. The cabinet 10 is merelyillustrative of any area, such as a room or building, from which it isdesired to exhaust the air for the purpose of conditioning the area.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable to heat the air prior toexpelling the same through the cabinet aperture 38, as in the instanceof an unduly chilled room or area to be conditioned. For this purpose anelectrical resistance heating unit so of the Calrod type (Fig. 9a) issuitably mounted within the annular housing 17 inwardly of the filterelement 22, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Said Calrod resistance elementsincludes the usual terminal portions 61 by which it may be connected toa source of electrical current. The air stream is drawn into a heatingzone on the interior of the annular housing 17, where the air is heatedand expanded by the heated resistance element 60. Thereafter the heatedair is circulated against the surface of the body of water 47, whichcauses the air to contract, after which it is discharged through thecentral opening 38 (Fig. 2), or plurality of openings 38a (Fig. 9), andcontinuously circulated in the room, area or building to be conditioned.

The heater 60 while contemplated as a permanent part of the device, isonly used in a closed room during cold weather.

Fig. 10 illustrates a simple wiring diagram through which the Calrodheater 60 is connected to the motor 27 by means of a pivoted switch arm62. When it is desired to heat the air, said switch arm is pivotallymoved to engage switch contact 63 which places the motor and heater inthe series with the power circuit P. When it is not desired to heat theair being discharged into the room or area, the switch arm 62 is movedin the opposite direction into contact with the terminal 64, therebycutting out the heater and energizing the motor only for the purpose ofcntraining and expelling cool air by the rotor impeller 30. Thus it willbe seen that the heater can only be placed in operation in the circuitwhen the motor 27 is in operation, thus insuring against burning out themotor.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the instant improved devicemay be constructed as an air heater or cooler, or a combination of both,which latter is most preferable.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the formshereinbefore described being merely exemplary embodiments thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for creating a localized Zone of expanding air in a ventilatedroom or area, comprising a substantially closed cabinet having an airintake aperture in the upper portion of a wall thereof and an airdischarge aperture in the upper portion of an opposite wall of saidcabinet for discharging treated air under pressure therefrom, a body ofcooling liquid contained within the lower portion of said cabinet, acentrifugal fan rotor of substantially the same diameter as said airintake aperture mounted within said cabinet adjacent said intakeaperture for drawing air therethrough into said cabinet, said rotorhaving circumferentially spaced air impelling blades having their airimpelling surfaces disposed normal to a plane perpendicular to the axisof said rotor adapted for centrifugally projecting air radially of therotor, the periphery of said rotor being substantially unconfined withinsaid cabinet to provide a peripheral zone of substantial thicknesssurrounding said rotor wherein a revolving air stream is maintained, anelectric motor in said cabinet for driving said rotor to centrifugallyproject the incoming air in a generally circular path through said zoneat a pressure greater than atmospheric and also downwardly to impingeagainst the surface of said body of liquid, whereby the inducted air isrepeatedly revolved about said rotor within said cabinet to therebybring said air into repeated contact with said liquid before beingexpelled from said discharge aperture.

2. Means for creating a localized zone of expanding air in a ventilatedroom or area as defined in claim 1, including means adjacent said intakeaperture for electrically heating said air prior to its contact withsaid rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS816,371 Platz Mar. 27, 1906 1,042,055 Theisen Oct. 22, 1912 1,842,213Smellie Jan. 19, 1932 2,030,316 Opitz Feb. 11, 1935 2,054,200 LangfordSept. 15, 1936 2,119,207 Gibbs May 31, 1938 2,182,620 Cano Dec. 5, 19392,186,697 Hildebrand Jan. 9, 1940 2,317,543 Livingston Apr. 27, 19432,506,656 Wallach et al. May 9, 1950 2,540,136 Oliphant Feb. 6, 19512,684.232 Caldwell July 20, 1954 2,759,713 Maniscalco Aug. 21, 1956

